InsightLA Schedule
SCHEDULE CHANGE: The Metta-Sutta: Daylong Retreat
Related events: BUDDHIST PRACTICE, DAYLONG, LOVING KINDNESS, RETREAT
| Teacher(s): | ARYADEVA PETERSSEN | Bio | |
| Date(s): | March 14 (Sunday) | |
| Time: | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm | |
| Description: | ** PLEASE NOTE SCHEDULE CHANGE: This retreat, originally planned as a non-residential weekend, is now a daylong retreat on Sunday, March 14. ** For some time Metta meditation has become rather popular amongst meditators in the West. As with so many other Buddhist practices, it can be traced back to an ancient text, in this case the 'Karaniya Metta Sutta' (Chapter I No 8 of the 'Sutta Nipata'). This text has been handed down to us in the Pali language. Although sometimes called a discourse, the Metta Sutta is rather a poem, ancient but still as relevant to us as it was to the followers of the Buddha. We can hear it chanted daily in Buddhist monasteries throughout south-east Asia. Although recited widely it is much less thoroughly studied and reflected on. Yet it contains one of the most important teachings of the Buddha on positive emotion, something so many Westerners long for to experience more often. Metta, or universal good will toward all living beings is a radically wholesome and not least very beautiful frame of mind. Practicing Metta helps us break out of our self-built prison of egotism which can be so painful to live in. With a heart full of Metta our life is a light-hearted life, free of emotional dependence and yet capable of deeply engaging with other people and the world around us. This daylong event combines various ways of practicing the Dharma. In the Pali canon the Buddha taught three methods of developing wisdom: hearing, reflecting and meditating. Each of them has got its own merits. 'Hearing' in our case means studying. We will spend quite some time studying in-depth this venerable poem and looking at some of the Pali terms, whose meanings are at times quite diverse with all kinds of shades of meaning. A thorough enquiry into key words of this text is not just an acedemic exercise, it has great potential to give us a more profound understanding of what we are trying to develop when we do Metta meditation. In addition to the study we will reflect on some aspects of this teaching, which will enable us to more easily open our hearts when we formally meditate cultivating this beautiful quality of mind. | |
| Location: | InsightLA Olympic 1430 Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 | |
| Directions: | See Map | |
| Contact the teacher | Contact by email (expect responses Monday - Friday, only) | |
| Level: | Middle and Advanced | |
| Cost: | Sliding scale from $50 to $100 Please pay at the highest level of the sliding scale that you can afford. This helps us make sure those who pay less can attend. Whatever you pay above the lowest end of the sliding scale is a tax-deductible donation to InsightLA. Please email or call us to arrange for work/study or reduced fee (less than $50). | |
| Enrollment Limit: | 20 | There are still openings for this class. | |
| Items to Bring: | A notebook. A bag lunch, your own cup. We provide tea and water. | |
| Contact Information: | programs@insightla.org or 310-774-3325 | |
